NASD Promotes James S. Shorris To Head Enforcement Department

NASD today announced the immediate promotion of James S. Shorris from Senior Vice President and Deputy Head of Enforcement to Executive Vice President and Head of Enforcement.

Shorris replaces Barry Goldsmith, who is leaving NASD after nearly 10 years to return to private practice.

Since joining NASD in November 2003, Shorris has been responsible for the operational management of the Enforcement Department, supervising a staff of more than 200 legal and investigative professionals nationwide, developing and implementing enforcement policy and overseeing investigations and litigation.

Prior to joining NASD, Shorris practiced securities law at several law firms, including Bingham McCutchen LLP and Choate, Hall & Stewart in Boston and at Morgan, Lewis & Bockius in New York. He has worked for two securities firms - as Vice President, Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer for Allmerica Financial Corporation in Worcester, MA and as Senior Vice President and Deputy General Counsel for Tucker Anthony Incorporated in Boston. Shorris also served as an Assistant District Attorney in the Manhattan District Attorney's Office for five years.

"Jim Shorris's rich blend of experience - as a regulator, as a firm executive and as a private practitioner - gives him a deep understanding of the securities laws and the industry. Jim will provide strong and balanced leadership to NASD's Enforcement Department," said NASD Vice Chairman Mary Schapiro.

"I am very grateful for this tremendous privilege and opportunity to work with a group of talented professionals who are so dedicated to their jobs protecting investors," Shorris said.

NASD is the leading private-sector provider of financial regulatory services, dedicated to investor protection and market integrity through effective and efficient regulation and complementary compliance and technology-based services. NASD touches virtually every aspect of the securities business - from registering and educating all industry participants, to examining securities firms, enforcing both NASD rules and the federal securities laws, and administering the largest dispute resolution forum for investors and registered firms. For more information, please visit our Web site at www.nasd.com.